Markham eyes 2.99% tax increase for 2024, costing average Markham household $40 more

Budget 2024 focuses on taxpayers, affordability and community priorities, says Mayor Frank Scarpitti

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 1, 2024
Scarlett Liu

Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti announced a proposed budget of $590.5 million for 2024, carrying with it a 2.99-per-cent tax increase.

Included in this number is a 2.29-per-cent increase for day-to-day operations and 0.7 per cent allocated for infrastructure investment.

This represents an increase of $39.98 on the city portion of the tax bill for the average home in Markham.

A 3.5-per-cent water rate increase is included to support water and wastewater services, representing an increase of $35.26 for the average home in Markham. The majority of this increase results from the cost of purchasing water from the City of Toronto, through York Region.

This year’s budget acknowledges the challenges the community is facing while ensuring Markham continues to deliver excellent quality services that residents and businesses have come to expect both now and into the future, according to a news release from the city.

In his budget announcement Jan. 29, Scarpitti committed to considering a tax relief program for low-income seniors. Dubbed the Low-Income Seniors Property Tax Assistance Program, it would support low-income seniors with an interest-free repayment plan to help them clear their tax arrears.

Scarpitti described the budget as a “responsible” one during the special council meeting.

“Markham continues to have the lowest average tax rate increase in the GTA over 19 consecutive years,” he said, “We continue to operate as an efficient government and we are proud of our fiscal management, while never compromising the high standard of service we enjoy.”

Markham’s capital budget this year is $118.3 million, which is expected to deliver 271 projects supporting a wide array of city programs and services.

Approximately 60 per cent of the capital budget will be allocated to ensure existing assets remain in a state of good repair and support the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Highlights of the proposed 2024 budget include:

• Investing in road repairs, rehabilitation and traffic management improvements ($56 million)
• Constructing and maintaining parks and trails ($14.7 million)
• Preparing for changing climate conditions, including flood control, stormwater management construction, ponds and culverts ($10.9 million)
• Systems and technology infrastructure ($5.8 million)
• Green initiatives and environmental strategies toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 ($1.8 million)

“The city is committed to minimizing the impact to household budgets,” noted Scarpitti, adding the tax rate increase is well below the rate of inflation.

From 2009 to 2024, the city’s Excellence through Efficiency and Effectiveness (E3) Program will have delivered $35.6 million in annual operating savings, equal to a tax rate increase avoidance of 28.12 per cent.

Residents are encouraged to review the details of Markham's 2024 budget and provide input at a public meeting scheduled for Feb. 15, starting at 7 p.m.

A special council meeting will be held on Feb. 28 for potential amendments and final vote.

More information is available online at Markham.ca.